Asphodelus albus
| Asphodelus albus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Asphodelus albus (common name: asphodel)
Propagation: Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. When the plants are large enough to handle, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer.
Division in early spring or autumn[2].
Cultivation: Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, tolerating partial shade[3]. Requires a well-drained soil and a sheltered position[4]. Prefers a deep rich sandy loamy soil[5][2]. Prefers a soil that is not too rich and a sunny position[3]. Grows well on hot dry banks and in thin grass[4][3]. Established plants are drought tolerant[6].
Plants are hardy to about -15°c[7].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[8].
Range: S. Europe.
Habitat: Ploughed fields, rough ground[9], dry hills and mountain meadows[10][11].
Edibility: The root was at one time eaten as a food but, since it contains the alkaloid asphodeline, this is not really very advisable[9].
Medicinal: The tubers are antidermatosic, detergent, emollient and vulnerary[9]. They are mainly used externally in the treatment of skin conditions and for lightening freckles[9]. They have also been employed internally as a cough remedy[9]. The tubers are harvested in the spring and dried for later use[9]. Use internally with caution, especially if you are suffering from nephritis or gastritis[9].
Usage: An alcohol can be obtained from the fermented roots[9].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The root is poisonous[9].
Also Known As: A. macrocarpus.
Links
References
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Grey, Charles. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate, 1938.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press, 1980.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.